Things are going to feel a little different in Mount Gretna this summer.
Life in the cozy, woodland town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has been turned upside-down by the ongoing pandemic, and many of the attractions there this year have been cancelled, delayed or otherwise altered to adhere to social distancing guidelines provided by the state.
The Jigger Shop, an anchor business in the heart of Mount Gretna, delayed its usual opening by nearly a month, shortened its hours, and is offering takeout food only.
Read More: A classic trip to Mt. Gretna’s Jigger Shop
“As of the moment, everything is going to be takeout and to-go orders,” Kyle Seyfert, whose family purchased the Jigger Shop from longtime owner Chuck Allwein in May 2018, said Thursday. “We are in the process of setting up a curbside system – it’s not quite there yet.”
The Jigger Shop opened for the season on Thursday, delaying from its plan to reopen on Mother’s Day weekend, Seyfert said.
Hours have been reduced to noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.
“We’re being optimistic,” Seyfert said Thursday. “We had a lot of friendly faces stopping in to see us. Business was pretty good (on Thursday), and we think it will pick up as we go on.”
Although the dining room is closed, he noted there are benches outside and “plenty of places to walk around” while eating some takeout food or ice cream.
The full menu is available to go, he added.
“We’re hoping the restrictions are lifted and we’ll be able to reopen for eat-in customers,” Seyfert said.
The Jigger Shop is only one of several Mount Gretna mainstays suffering the effects of COVID-19.
The Pennsylvania Chautauqua decided in April to call off the Mount Gretna Art Show, scheduled for Aug. 15 and 16, due to coronavirus concerns.
Read More: 46th Mount Gretna Art Show cancelled due to coronavirus concerns
Gretna Theatre announced in early May that its 2020 summer season at the playhouse has been postponed to 2021.
Gretna Music, which also offers performances in the playhouse, has rescheduled events through the end of June to next year, although most concerts from July 5 on are still on the calendar for the time being.
And Mount Gretna Lake & Beach has announced it will open to the public on June 20, although the number of daily admissions will be limited and tickets must be pre-purchased online.
Read More: [Photo Story] Cooling off with a trip to the Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
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